Description
These Spicy Grilled Shrimp Tacos offer a vibrant and flavorful meal, combining juicy, marinated shrimp grilled to perfection with fresh toppings and warm tortillas. Ready in just 21 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious seafood taco night.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Assembly
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper to combine the flavors thoroughly.
- Marinate the shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl with the marinade. Toss well to coat all the shrimp evenly. Let the shrimp marinate for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb the spices and tanginess.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill surface to prevent sticking and help achieve a nice char on the shrimp.
- Grill the shrimp: Place the marinated shrimp on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink, become opaque, and develop light char marks to enhance the smoky flavor.
- Prepare the taco toppings: While the shrimp cooks, shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, chop the fresh cilantro, and warm the tortillas until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the tacos: Layer each tortilla with shredded lettuce, grilled shrimp, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro. This combination adds freshness, creaminess, and vibrant colors to the tacos.
- Serve: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the assembled tacos for an extra zing and serve immediately. Optionally, add your favorite sauce to customize the flavor further.
Notes
- Marinate shrimp up to 30 minutes, but avoid longer to prevent the shrimp from becoming mushy.
- Use corn tortillas for a more authentic taco experience or flour tortillas for a softer texture.
- Feel free to add avocado slices or a drizzle of sour cream for extra creaminess.
- Grill shrimp on skewers for easier handling and even cooking if preferred.
- Leftover shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.